Space age toilets to monitor your POO - and will text you if you’re ill

SPACE age technology is being used to create the next generation of toilets which can monitor for the early signs of disease. Sensors would then beam an alert to the users’ mobile phones so they can seek medical help.

Researchers at the European Space Agency have teamed up with experts at the Toilet Board Coalition to develop the “FitLoo”, which could be available commercially within five years.

The system will adapt technology being developed for astronauts on long-haul space missions so it can be integrated into domestic toilets. Data gathered by the sensors would be beamed to the users’ mobile phones so they can see how their health is changing.

“Toilets offer an incredible opportunity for people to gain control of their health,” said Michael Lindenmayer, digital health and smart sanitation lead at the Toilet Board Coalition, which represents many leading toilet manufacturers.